Anti-Mohammed film: US Embassy meets Muslim clerics

The leadership of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Lagos State has held a meeting with officials of the United States Embassy led by the Consul-General Mr Jeffrey Hawkins on the global protests triggered by a film, Innocence of Muslims, against Prophet Mohammed.

The meeting, according to CIO Coordinator, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, was to promote better understanding between Muslims in Nigeria and the government and people of US.

He said the meeting looked at measures to prevent a recurrence of attempt to misrepresent Prophet Muhammad.

He said Hawkins acknowledged the constructive dialogue approach adopted by the CIO and most Muslims in Nigeria to handle the issue.

Speaking at a news conference yesterday at the Beleke Smith Memorial Central Mosque Hall, Surulere, Lagos mainland, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, who spoke on behalf of the CIO, commended the US government for the effort to seek the views of Muslims on how to promote better relations between the Muslim world and the US.

He condemned the film and described the producers and promoters as pathological haters, enemies of international peace and security.

He said though Muslims were enraged by the film, majority of them were cautious in their reactions by the teachings of the Prophet.

He said: “There can never be a more effective guarantee of international peace and security than justice, equity, reciprocal respect and mutual understanding.

“Muslims will never accept that the symbols of Islam, such as the creator, Allah, Prophet Muhammad and all other prophets sent by God, the Qur’an, and places of worship subjected to ridicule, insult and attack in the name of freedom of expression.”

Amid the watchful eyes of the officials of State Security Service (SSS) and other security agents, many Muslims youth carried placards, expressing their disgust to the film.

Flanked by various Islamic scholars, Sheikh Ahmad said Islam abhors the taking of lives of innocents.

“That is why all well-meaning Muslims and members of CIO condemn, unequivocally, the deplorable death of the US Ambassador to Libya and three other US Embassy staff. This has no place in Islam. One very important lesson that we can all take from this is that it is absolutely wrong to judge a country or a people by the deeds of the minority of bad people in that country,” he said.

He said no human freedom can be absolute.

“We, therefore, urge the US government to provide legal guarantees that prevent people from infringing on the rights, honours and freedom of others while exercising their rights to freedom of expression.”

I really commend the attitude of CIO lead by imam Ahmad. God almighty will bless you for taking this steps and talk the truth to the Americans. we believe in freedom of speech but not freedom of insult.If the Americans really believe in freedom of speech why is it that it is a treasonable felony for someone to declare himself president of united state if he had not participated in any election.

Emem udoh

Our religious leaders should preach peace all the time no matter the provocation.